NBA teams face a Dec. 29 deadline to decide whether to pick up the third- and fourth-year team options for players who signed rookie-scale contracts in 2018 and 2019. It means the Orlando Magic face a decision about third-year center Mo Bamba.
Bamba’s rookie-scale contract included team options for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Orlando picked up the option for Bamba’s 2020-21 contract — for nearly $5.97 million — in September 2019. The fourth-year option would be worth about $7.57 million.
Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman does not discuss player contracts or potential negotiations, but all indications are that the team values Bamba and remains committed to him.